I Proverbi da Ricordare - Proverbs to Remember

These proverbs have been passed down such a long way.  That's why their classic nature is worth preserving and sharing because they still teach us how to be wise!

Ogni riccio è un capriccio!

Literally - "every curl is a caprice." This refers to curly hair, said to be a sure sign of a capricious nature (red hair would have a similar connotation for an Englishman).

(Grazie a Li Iacobacci who also provided the history behind this - molto interessante!)

Nella vita - chi non rischia - non rosica.

Translation: In life: who risks nothing - gains nothing.
Equivalent meaning: In life: nothing ventured - nothing gained. 

(Grazie a Debbie Biamonte; shared via Facebook)

Tra il dire e il fare c'e di mezzo il mare.

Loose Translation: Talk is cheap.

(Grazie a Osama Mohy; shared via Facebook)

Tanto va la gatta al lardo che ci lascia lo zampino.

Loose translation: Curiosity kiled the cat.

(Grazie a Emma Running; shared via Facebook) 

Non è tutt'oro quel che luccica.

Translation: Not all that glitters is gold.

(Grazie a Rosanna Costanzo for sharing via Facebook e a Li Iacobacci for the translation.)

Rosso di mattina la pioggia si avvicina. Rosso di sera buon tempo si spera.

Literal translation:  Red sky in the morning, await rain.  Red sky in the evening, hope for good weather.

(Grazie a Virginia DiGirolamo for sharing; via Facebook)

Chi non stima la vita, non la merita. 

Literal translation: He who does not value life does not deserve it.

(Grazie a Frank L Varrica for sharing; via Facebook)

Please feel free to share these on our Italian Proverbs page on Facebook.   Not a fan of Facebook?  No problem, feel free to also submit some via email (modernitalian@modernitalian.org) and your proverb may get published in our next newsletter.  Grazie!

I Proverbi da Ricordare - Some Proverbs to Remember

We have gathered some new - yet old - proverbs to live by because we know you love them!  Please keep in mind that the very loose English translations are included, but do not sound as culturally rich as the ones originally written in Italian.  We welcome your versions of translations but more importantly want to hear more of your own Italian proverbs, quotes, and sayings!  Feel free to share them on our Facebook group page dedicated to proverbs, tweet them to @modernitalian or email them at modernitalian@modernitalian.org so we can share them with the community!

Fai bene e scordati, fai male e guardati. (Do good and forget it, do bad and watch your back).

Un pranzo senza il vino e’ come una giornata senza il sole. (A meal without wine is like a day without the sun).

Impara l’arte e mettila da parte. (Learn your skill and keep it to the side).

Vizio di natura fin alla morte dura. (A habit stays ‘til the death).

Per fare una bella insalata, poco aceto e assai ogliata.  (To make a good salad, use little vinegar and much olive oil).

Age-old Italian Proverbs are Relevant Today to All

Words of wisdom.  Age-old adages are timeless and relevant to all.  The origins of some proverbs are evident in their context.  For example, the famous Italian contadino (farmer) would have come up with “L’acqua bolle e il maiale sta ancora in montagna” (The water boils and the pig is still in the mountain).  An English version of this could perhaps be “Do not put the carriage in front of the horse.”  While it may not be as common today in our everyday lives to hunt wild animals for dinner or ride in horse carriages, the principle of these sayings still apply in our world today.  Don’t jump the gun!  

We have gathered some of our favorite Italian proverbs shared within our community.  Please remember that we value our members who find the importance to learn these cultural treasures just as much as those who share them!  Enjoy!  Buona lettura!

Those of you on Facebook, please share your favorite Italian adages here.

Ogni medaglia ha il suo rovescio (There are two sides to every coin) (Johnna Stewart)

Non e’ oro tutto quello che lucida. (Everything that shines is not always gold.)

Non dispiace invecchiare, è un privilegio negato a molti.
(Do not regret growing older, it is a privilage denied to many) (Terri Affanato McAvoy)

Ogni nodo viene al pettine (Every knot is caught by the comb.) (Carmen Martin)

Chi nascia quadro non puo morire tondo (He who is born a square cannot die round). (Dora Miraglia-Meola)

Fra i due litiganti, il terzo gode. (Between 2 quarrelers, the third one gloats.)

Il meglio deve ancora venire é arriverá quando meno te l'aspetti. (The best is yet to come and will come when you least expect it.) (Michael Biasi)

 

Fai bene e scordati, fai male e guardati. (Do good and forget about it, do bad and watch yourself.)

Tutto fumo, niente arrosto.) (All smoke, no roast).